United Nations

S/PV.5489

Security Council

Provisional

Sixty-first year

5489th meeting
Friday, 14 July 2006, 10 a.m.
New York

President:

Mr. De La Sablière . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(France)

Members:

Argentina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
China . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Congo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Denmark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ghana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Greece . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Japan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Peru . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Qatar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Russian Federation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Slovakia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland . . . .
United Republic of Tanzania . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
United States of America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Mr. Mayoral
Mr. Liu Zhengmin
Mr. Ikouebe
Ms. Løj
Nana Effah-Apenteng
Mrs. Papadopoulou
Mr. Kitaoka
Mr. Pereyra Plasencia
Mr. Al-Qahtani
Mr. Dolgov
Mr. Mlynár
Sir Emyr Jones Parry
Mr. Mahiga
Mr. Bolton

Agenda
The situation in the Middle East
Letter dated 13 July 2006 from the Chargé d’affaires a.i. of the Permanent
Mission of Lebanon to the United Nations addressed to the President of the
Security Council (S/2006/517)

This record contains the text of speeches delivered in English and of the interpretation of
speeches delivered in the other languages. The final text will be printed in the Official Records
of the Security Council. Corrections should be submitted to the original languages only. They
should be incorporated in a copy of the record and sent under the signature of a member of the
delegation concerned to the Chief of the Verbatim Reporting Service, room C-154A.

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*0642993*

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The meeting was called to order at 10.15 a.m.
Adoption of the agenda
The agenda was adopted.
The situation in the Middle East
Letter dated 13 July 2006 from the Chargé
d’Affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of
Lebanon to the United Nations addressed to the
President of the Security Council (S/2006/517)
The President (spoke in French): I should like to
inform the Council that I have received letters from the
representatives of Israel and Lebanon, in which they
request to be invited to participate in the consideration
of the item on the Council’s agenda. In conformity
with the usual practice, I propose, with the consent of
the Council, to invite those representatives to
participate in the consideration of the item, without the
right to vote, in accordance with the relevant
provisions of the Charter and rule 37 of the Council’s
provisional rules of procedure.
There being no objection, it is so decided.
At the invitation of the President, Mr. Gillerman
(Israel) took a seat at the Council table.
At the invitation of the President, Mr. Mahmoud
(Lebanon) took a seat at the Council table.
The President (spoke in French): In accordance
with the understanding reached in the Council’s prior
consultations, I shall take it that the Security Council
agrees to extend an invitation under rule 39 of its
provisional rules of procedure to Mr. Jean-Marie
Guéhenno, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping
Operations.
It is so decided.
I invite Mr. Guéhenno to take a seat at the
Council table.
The President (spoke in French): In accordance
with the understanding reached in the Council’s prior
consultations, I shall take it that the Security Council
agrees to extend an invitation under rule 39 of its
provisional rules of procedure to Mr. Ibrahim Gambari,
Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs.
It is so decided.

2

The Security Council will begin its consideration
of the item on its agenda. The Council is meeting in
response to the request contained in the letter dated
13 July 2006 from the Chargé d’Affaires of Lebanon
addressed to the President of the Security Council,
document S/2006/517.
I wish to draw the attention of the members to
documents S/2006/518 and S/2006/522, containing the
text of letters dated 13 July 2006 from the Chargé
d’Affaires of Lebanon addressed to the President of the
Security Council, and document S/2006/515,
containing the text of a letter dated 12 July 2006 from
the Permanent Representative of Israel addressed to the
President of the Council.
The Security Council will now hear a briefing by
Mr. Jean-Marie Guéhenno, Under-Secretary-General
for Peacekeeping Operations. I give him the floor.
Mr. Guéhenno: As Council members are aware,
the most serious crisis between Israel and Lebanon
since the withdrawal of the Israeli forces from south
Lebanon in 2000 has broken out, with rising numbers
of casualties on both sides.
The crisis started on 12 July, when, at about
9 o’clock local time, Hizbollah launched several
rockets from Lebanese territory across the Blue Line
towards Israel Defense Forces (IDF) positions near the
coast and in the area of the Israeli town of Zarit.
Shortly afterwards, Hizbollah fighters crossed the Blue
Line into Israel and attacked an IDF patrol. Hizbollah
captured two IDF soldiers, killed three others and
wounded two more. The captured soldiers were taken
into Lebanon.
Subsequent to the attack on the patrol, a heavy
exchange of fire ensued across the Blue Line between
Hizbollah and the IDF. While the exchange of fire
stretched over the entire length of the Line, it was
heaviest in the areas west of Bint Jubeil and in the
Sheba’a farms area. Hizbollah targeted IDF positions
and Israeli towns south of the Blue Line. Israel
retaliated with ground, air and sea attacks. In addition
to air strikes on Hizbollah positions, the IDF also
targeted numerous roads and bridges in southern
Lebanon. The IDF has stated that those attacks were to
“prevent Hizbollah from transferring the abducted
soldiers”.
At least one IDF tank and an IDF platoon crossed
into Lebanon in the area of the Hizbollah attack in an

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attempt to rescue the captured soldiers. An explosive
device detonated under the tank, killing four more IDF
soldiers. An eighth IDF soldier was reportedly killed in
the fighting that ensued during an attempt to retrieve
the four bodies. It appears that the incursion was
localized; the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon
(UNIFIL) has no reports at this point of additional IDF
incursions into Lebanese territory.
In the afternoon of 12 July local time, the
Government of Lebanon requested UNIFIL to broker a
ceasefire. Israel responded that a ceasefire would be
contingent upon the return of the captured soldiers.
The
Secretary-General
has
condemned
Hizbollah’s attack, which resulted in the capture of two
IDF soldiers, and has called for the soldiers’ immediate
and unconditional release. He has called on all parties
to exercise maximum restraint and to respect their
obligations under international humanitarian law.
In the morning of 13 July, Hizbollah launched
numerous rocket attacks on Nahariya, 10 kilometres
south of the Blue Line, reportedly killing one Israeli
civilian and wounding scores more. Later in the day,
two rockets struck the city of Haifa causing some
damage to buildings and injuries to several persons.
The IDF responded with the bombing of Hizbollah
positions, attacks on the Beirut international airport,
the Hizbollah-affiliated Al-Manar television station and
two air bases. The attacks have forced the closure of
the Beirut airport. It has further been reported that, late
on Thursday, Israel attacked the Beirut airport for a
second time, setting the fuel depots on fire, as well a
southern suburb of Beirut. Israeli planes also dropped
leaflets across Lebanon warning the population to
avoid areas known for Hizbollah’s presence.
Intermittent exchanges of fire from both sides
continue along the Blue Line. The number of those
killed and wounded on both sides is disturbingly high,
although it cannot be reliably confirmed at this time.
Based on available information, eight IDF soldiers
have been killed and several wounded and two Israeli
civilians have been killed and dozens more wounded.
One Lebanese army soldier has been reported killed in
the attack on an air base, in addition to the more than
50 civilians who have been reported killed and scores
more wounded.
The Personal Representative of the SecretaryGeneral for Lebanon, Mr. Pedersen, has expressed his
alarm at Israel’s heavy attacks and the escalation that

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has taken place across the Blue Line. He has also
voiced deepest concern that the Israeli military is
enforcing an air and sea blockade, which will increase
the hardship of the civilian population in Lebanon.
UNIFIL has reported several instances of firing
close to its positions, including an ammunitions depot
near Naqoura, by the IDF. The mission also reported
one instance of Hizbollah firing close from one of
UNIFIL’s positions towards Israel. No United Nations
personnel have been injured and no equipment has
been damaged.
Since the beginning of hostilities on 12 July,
UNIFIL military personnel have remained confined to
their positions, and during the heaviest exchanges of
fire they have had to take shelter in bunkers. On
12 July, the IDF warned UNIFIL that any person —
including United Nations personnel — moving close to
the Blue Line would be shot at. Due to the continued
firing, UNIFIL has not been able to carry out its
regular vehicle and helicopter patrols along the Blue
Line. UNIFIL’s ability to monitor developments in the
area of operation, and especially along the Blue Line,
has consequently been very limited. Today, UNIFIL
has tried to carry out one patrol in the rear of its area of
operation, away from the Blue Line, between
Marjayoun and Naqoura, but has not been able to
complete the patrol so far. It is the Mission’s intention
to increase patrolling as and where possible.
UNIFIL is in contact with the parties, urging
them to exercise restraint. In order to strengthen its
efforts to restore calm and to provide basic
humanitarian and medical assistance to the civilian
population, it is important that UNIFIL be able to
resume full operations in the area of operations without
danger to its personnel. Some Lebanese civilians,
displaced from their homes in the south, have tried to
move north and cross the Litani, but have been stopped
from doing so by the destruction of the bridges. Some
Lebanese civilians are approaching UNIFIL with
requests for shelter and other assistance.
The President (spoke in French): I thank
Mr. Guéhenno for his briefing.
The Security Council will now hear a briefing by
Mr. Ibrahim Gambari, Under-Secretary-General for
Political Affairs, to whom I give the floor.
Mr. Gambari: The Secretary-General is deeply
alarmed at the escalation of violence in Lebanon and

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Israel. Parts of Lebanon are under blockade and heavy
Israeli military action, while Israel is being subjected
to indiscriminate attacks by Hizbollah forces.
Escalations have occurred on both sides. We are
particularly alarmed at the suffering that has been
unleashed on civilians on both sides.
The Secretary-General condemns all actions
which target civilians or which unduly endanger them
owing to their disproportionate or indiscriminate
character. The parties should be reminded that, under
the law of armed conflict, attacks must not be directed
against civilian objects. In particular, they have an
obligation to exercise caution and to respect the
proportionality principle in all military operations so as
to prevent unnecessary suffering, particularly among
the civilian population.
The Secretary-General has been working
ceaselessly on this evolving and dangerous situation.
He calls on all parties to adhere to their obligations
under international humanitarian law and international
agreements, and he has been in close consultations
with leaders around the world to find an urgent
solution to the crisis, to urge restraint and to prevent
the situation from spiralling even further out of control.
We hope that the parties heed that counsel, and that
regional players who have influence will do likewise.
Reckless and dangerous actions will only lead to
further bloodshed and further instability, inflaming an
already highly volatile region.
In this regard we must give support to the
Government of Lebanon, and we are encouraged by the
recent statement by the Lebanese Cabinet which
reaffirms its commitment to international resolutions
and respect for the Blue Line. We are emphasizing to
all concerned that a qualitative escalation of the
conflict is in no one’s interest and that the space for
diplomatic initiatives is quickly closing. All parties
should do their utmost to ensure that that space remains
open.
In the light of these alarming developments, the
Secretary-General has decided to send a mission to the
Middle East to exercise good offices and help defuse
the major crisis in the region. The team is led by his
Special Adviser, Mr. Vijay Nambiar, and comprises two
other senior United Nations political officers,
Mr. Alvaro de Soto and Mr. Terje Roed-Larsen.
The mission will endeavour to contribute to
deescalating the situation by conveying the Secretary-

4

General’s call for the release of the captured soldiers,
for restraint by all parties and for a ceasefire. All
parties will also be encouraged to use their influence to
defuse the situation. In all instances, the team will also
emphasize the message of the Secretary-General to
respect international humanitarian law and to protect
civilians and civilian infrastructure.
The mission arrives in Cairo today, where it will
conduct meetings with Egyptian officials and hold
consultations with the foreign ministers of the League
of Arab States. The team will then travel to Israel,
Lebanon and Syria, and other places as may be deemed
necessary by the Secretary-General. The team will
report to the Secretary-General upon its return to New
York. I believe, of course, that the Secretariat will
continue to keep the Security Council constantly
briefed on further developments.
The President (spoke in French): I thank
Mr. Gambari for his briefing.
I now give the floor to the representative of
Lebanon.
Mr. Mahmoud (Lebanon) (spoke in Arabic):
Allow me, at the outset, Mr. President, to pay special
tribute to the historic traditions and ties between my
country, Lebanon, and yours, France, as well as to
France’s traditional policy of defending the
sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of
Lebanon.
The Security Council is meeting today in the
shadow of the widespread and barbaric aggression
being waged by Israel up until this very moment
against my country, Lebanon. That aggression is
destroying Lebanon’s infrastructure and causing the
deaths of innocent civilians in full view of the
international community, which is today called upon to
curb Israel’s aggression and immediately bring it to an
end.
The ongoing operations of destruction and killing
that have been undertaken by Israel since 12 July will
not resolve the problem; they will further complicate it.
The Israeli Government has held the Lebanese
Government responsible for certain acts, even though
the Lebanese Government issued a statement on
12 July whereby it declared that it was not aware of the
incident that occurred on the Blue Line on that date,
that it did not take responsibility for it and that it did
not endorse that act.

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The Israeli forces have launched widespread
military operations, deliberately bombing vital
installations. Most major bridges have been destroyed.
Fuel storage tanks at electrical power plants have been
destroyed. The three runways at Beirut International
Airport have been destroyed. Many civilian
installations and residential buildings have been
destroyed, causing the death of many Lebanese
civilians, causing grave material losses and stranding
innocent tourists. They subsequently bombed and
disabled the airfields of Rayak and Qulayat. An air and
sea blockade has been imposed against Lebanon to
isolate it from its surroundings and to cut off all means
of communication between it and the outside world.
Israeli forces have not shied away from targeting
innocent civilians, thereby violating all human
rights — most importantly the right to life. Their forces
have bombed peaceful villages and residential areas,
bringing homes down on the heads of their inhabitants.
More than 60 martyrs have fallen to date, most of
whom were civilians. Hundreds of persons have been
injured.
My Government condemns and denounces this
Israeli aggression, which is a flagrant violation of all
international resolutions, laws, norms and conventions.
I need not explain to the Council who is the victim and
who the aggressor. What Israel is committing is an act
of aggression and devastation aimed at bringing
Lebanon to its knees and at undermining it by any
means.
In its statement of 13 July, the Lebanese
Government once again stressed its responsibility for
the protection of the nation and its citizens and for
their safety and security. It also affirmed its right and
duty to exercise its sovereignty over all of its territory,
as well as to take its national decisions freely, both
internally and externally. For more than a year, the
Lebanese have worked tirelessly to conclude the efforts
aimed at regaining independence and rebuilding
institutions, in cooperation with the international
community and with full commitment to the
resolutions of the Security Council. Israel’s aggression
hampers the efforts made towards fostering democracy.
It also undermines Lebanon’s sovereignty as it
endeavours to exercise its authority over its entire
territory.
My Government welcomes the initiative of the
Secretary-General to dispatch a high-level delegation

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that will work to reduce tensions, re-establish stability,
call for respect for international humanitarian law and
the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure
and address the root causes of the current conflict.
Israel’s disregard of the calls made by the
Lebanese Government expressing its complete
willingness to negotiate through the United Nations
and other parties to resolve the developments that have
taken place, the consequences of those developments
and the reasons that led to them is incontrovertible
evidence of the intention of the Israelis to escalate the
situation.
The international community, as represented by
the Security Council, is called upon to take an
immediate clear decision calling for an immediate
comprehensive ceasefire, the lifting of the air and sea
blockade imposed against Lebanon and an end to
Israeli aggression. The Council is also called upon to
take up the root causes and consequences of the current
crisis along the Blue Line.
The President (spoke in French): I now give the
floor to the representative of Israel.
Mr. Gillerman (Israel): Let me take you back,
Mr. President, to a warm summer’s day in Beirut 32
years ago, exactly on a very significant day for you and
your people: 14 July 1974. I want to describe the scene
to you and to my Lebanese colleague. Cafés and bars
bustling with young people, beaches filled with happy
holiday-makers — the Switzerland of the Middle East.
How different that scene is from the one on Beirut’s
streets today, 32 years later. But that difference did not
start this week or last year. The difference started only
one year after the scene I just described, in 1975, when
the Lebanese began their long descent into oppression,
depression and terror. Lebanon is a country that has
been held hostage for more than 32 years by tyrants
from the north and terrorists in the south, a country
whose fun-loving, business-minded, entrepreneurial
and liberal population has been tormented by decades
of oppression, sectarian strife, fundamentalist violence,
religious
conflict,
Syrian
control,
political
assassinations, terror and full-fledged civil war.
In May 2000, Israel took the painful and
politically difficult decision to fully withdraw from
southern Lebanon, having been compelled a few years
earlier to establish a security zone there in order to
prevent terrorist attacks and rocket shelling from
Lebanon into Israeli towns and villages. The

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Security Council acknowledged Israel’s complete
withdrawal from southern Lebanon and its full
compliance with Security Council resolution 425
(1978) in a presidential statement on 18 June 2000
(S/PRST/2000/21).
That was Lebanon’s moment of truth. Would its
Government look inward and free its people from the
stranglehold of terror? Or would it allow its territory to
become a base from which Hizbollah terrorists would
launch attacks against Israeli civilians? Tragically, the
Lebanese Government chose the latter.
The Lebanese Government got a second chance
after the partial implementation of Security Council
resolution 1559 (2004), which resulted in the
withdrawal of most Syrian forces from Lebanese
territory. Again the Council and the entire world were
waiting to see how Lebanon would respond to this
historic opportunity. Yet again, unfortunately, the
Lebanese Government chose to succumb to terror
rather than vanquish it, to let its southern region be
occupied by terrorism, rather than disarm it, and to
relinquish control over its country rather than exercise
its full sovereignty. Seldom before has the description
of a people as never missing an opportunity to miss an
opportunity been so apt. Lebanon, sadly, did not heed
the demands of the international community and did
not obey the repeated resolutions of the Security
Council. Today, sadly, the Lebanese people are bearing
the cost of that inaction and ineptitude.
Two days ago, Hizbollah terrorists, operating
with impunity in southern Lebanon, unleashed a
sudden and unprovoked attack into Israeli territory.
Scores of Katyusha rockets rained down on Israeli
towns and villages, causing many civilian casualties. In
this midst of this horrific assault, Hizbollah terrorists
infiltrated Israel, killing a number of soldiers and
kidnapping two more, who were taken deep into the
terrorist stronghold of southern Lebanon. Israel had no
choice but to react, as would, indeed, any other
responsible democratic Government. Having shown
unparalleled restraint for six years while bearing the
brunt of countless attacks, Israel had to respond to this
absolutely unprovoked assault, whose scale and depth
was unprecedented in recent years.
Let me emphasize this indisputable fact: Israel’s
actions were in direct response to an act of war from
Lebanon. Although Israel holds the Government of
Lebanon responsible, it is concentrating its response

6

carefully, mainly on Hizbollah strongholds, positions
and infrastructure. The hundreds of Katyusha rockets
fired from Lebanon in the last few days demonstrate
the magnitude of the immense arsenal of rockets and
other weapons that Hizbollah has amassed over the last
few years, a danger we have repeatedly warned against.
Many of the long-range missiles that have hit Israeli
towns, including Nahariyya, Safad, Rosh Pina and the
port city of Haifa, were launched from private homes
with families residing inside, where a special room was
designated as a launching pad with a family playing
host to the missile. That is yet another example of the
cynical and brutal way the Hizbollah organization uses
civilians as human shields, with complete disregard for
human life.
Over the last 48 hours, more than 500 Katyushas
and mortar shells were fired into the northern part of
Israel, killing two civilians and wounding hundreds
more, among them women and children. Israeli
civilians and eight soldiers have been killed, hundreds
have been wounded. It is very important for the
international community to understand that while
Hizbollah executes this vicious terrorism, it is merely
the finger on the blood-stained, long-reaching arms of
Syria and Iran. Hizbollah, together with Hamas, Syria
and Iran, comprise the world’s new and ominous axis
of terror, an infamous club, the entry fee to which is
the blood of innocents and the terrorizing of the entire
world.
Membership
in
this
club
requires
an
unfathomable capacity for evil. The President of Iran
has repeatedly denied the Holocaust while gleefully
preparing the next one. Many of the long-range
missiles fired into Israel in recent days were Iranian
missiles, made by the same regime that is now trying to
possess nuclear weapons, the same regime that is
funding Hizbollah to the sum of $100 million a year.
Do we dare to ask ourselves how many families
in Lebanon today are being prepared to house dirty
bombs and other weapons of mass destruction,
courtesy of Iran?
Syria, another member of this club, is a wellknown protector and financer of terrorist organizations,
playing host to them in its capital, Damascus. The
Syrian Government, which still regards Lebanon as
southern Syria, works ceaselessly to undermine all
efforts towards a peaceful future in the region.

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Lebanon is today occupied by terror, whether in
the south where it is directed at Israel or in Beirut
where it kills opponents of Syria and former prime
ministers. The real occupying power in Lebanon is
terror, terror instigated by Hizbollah but initiated,
funded and perpetrated by Syria and Iran.
The Lebanese Government, having missed so
many chances in the past, at such a horrendous cost to
its people, today has another chance to free itself from
the stranglehold of terror, another chance to release
itself from the evil control of Syria and the deadly
influence of Iran, and deploy its forces the south,
exercising its sovereignty over a free Lebanon.
There are words that speak far louder and clearer
than anything I can voice today. These are voices of
Lebanese: brave, patriotic Lebanese parliamentarians
and ministers who, just over the last two days, have
cried out to all of us from the brink of the abyss in their
beloved country.
Let me quote some of these courageous
statements. There are the words of Lebanon’s
Communications Minister, Mr. Marwan Hamadeh, who
only yesterday said that “Damascus gives the orders,
Iran supplies the equipment, Israel reacts and Lebanon
is the victim”. Or there are the words of Elias Atallah,
a Lebanese politician representing the majority of its
parliamentary members,
“We welcome any Arab and international support,
but strongly oppose any enforced involvement of
Lebanon by regional players’ considerations” —
reference to Syria and Iran — that are not within
the interests of the Lebanese people for the sole
attempt to achieve opportunistic benefits at the
expense of the Lebanese people. The Syrian
regime indulges itself in teaching Lebanon and
Palestine lessons according to its own interests
through these peoples. Why do those who always
protect their regime express understanding of its
reasons and preferences and do not express any
understanding of Lebanon’s reasons and
preferences?”
Or, there are the words of an unnamed Lebanese
minister who said — again, only yesterday — “The
Hizbollah has not only kidnapped two Israeli soldiers;
it has taken the whole of Lebanon hostage”.
With your permission, Mr. President, I would like
to make a personal appeal to my esteemed Lebanese

06-42993

colleague. Your Excellency, you know deep down that,
if you could, you would add your own brave voice to
those voices of your brave compatriots and colleagues.
You know deep in your heart that, if you could, you
would be sitting here right next to me, right now,
because you know that we are doing the right thing and
that, if we succeed, Lebanon will be the beneficiary.
I believe that most members around this table, as
well as many others in this Chamber, including our
neighbours, realize that reality.
The Security Council and the international
community have a duty today to help the Lebanese
people achieve the goal of a free, prosperous,
democratic Lebanon. The sad and tormented life of that
war-torn land has today entered another sad chapter in
its history. It is up to every one of us to help write that
chapter to ensure that this opportunity is seized, not
only for the benefit of the Lebanese and the Israeli
peoples, but for the sake of generations to come.
Mr. Dolgov (Russian Federation) (spoke in
Russian): The situation between Israel and Lebanon
continues to intensify dangerously. The conflict began
on 12 July with a border incident caused by the
kidnapping of two Israeli soldiers and by the firing of
rockets into Israeli territory by militarized units of the
Lebanese Hizbollah movement, and it is escalating into
a major military conflagration that could have grave
consequences for Lebanon, for the Middle East region
as a whole and for international peace. The spiral of
violence in the region is growing ever tighter.
Retaliatory action by Israel — troop incursions
into Lebanese territory, the destruction of civilian
infrastructure and the air and sea blockade of Lebanese
territory — has resulted in major casualties and
suffering among the peaceable population. Hizbollah
has begun to fire rockets on Israeli cities, including
Haifa; these too are inflicting harm on perfectly
innocent people. All of this takes place in parallel with
ongoing Israeli army operations in the Palestinian
territories, where innocent people die daily.
Russia strongly condemns the kidnapping of the
soldiers and the firing on Israeli territory. But we view
Israel’s military action as a disproportionate and
inappropriate use of force that threatens the
sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon and
peace and security throughout the region.

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 S/PV.5489

In the light of this situation, it is essential that
urgent steps be taken to halt the military escalation. We
urge Israel to end its incursions into Lebanon and its
destruction of civilian infrastructure on Lebanese
territory, and to lift the blockade against that country.
Experience in the Middle East and, indeed, past
practice in the resolution of other conflicts show that
security problems cannot be solved by armed force.
For its part, Hizbollah must refrain from actions
against Israel, which pose a threat to the interests of its
own country as well. It must release the Israeli
soldiers, halt its rocket attacks on Israeli territory and
respect the Blue Line. We expect the Lebanese
Government and other parties to provide all possible
assistance in resolving these issues.
Russia, for its part, is taking active steps to
achieve a ceasefire and to steer the conflict towards a
political settlement. On 13 July, Mr. Sergey Lavrov,
Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation,
met with Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Prime
Minister Siniora of Lebanon, Foreign Minister Aboul
Gheit of Egypt and Foreign Minister Motaki of Iran.
Russia expressed its support for the SecretaryGeneral’s decision to dispatch a special mission to the
region with the task of entering into contact with the
regional parties and finding a way to deescalate the
conflict. In the light of the acute deterioration of the
situation in the Middle East, Russia has decided to
send Mr. Sergei Yakovlev, special representative of the
Minister for Foreign Affairs, to the region for talks
with the interested parties, our Quartet partners,
international mediators and the United Nations special
mission.
Nana Effah-Apenteng (Ghana): At the outset, let
me express the appreciation of my delegation to
Mr. Jean-Marie Guéhenno, Under-Secretary-General
for Peacekeeping Operations, and to Ambassador
Ibrahim
Gambari,
Under-Secretary-General
for
Political Affairs, for their updates on the situation in
the Middle East, regarding the ongoing Israeli military
operations in Lebanon in response to the latest rocket
attacks launched by the Hizbollah group. The repeated
violations of the Blue Line by Hizbollah have been
denounced consistently by the Security Council, and
we note that the United Nations Interim Force in
Lebanon has done its best to prevent the situation from
getting out of control.

8

We further welcome the decision of the
Secretary-General to send a three-man delegation to
ascertain what can be done to end this unfortunate turn
of events. We hope that the visit will succeed in
bringing an end to the violence.
We also take this opportunity to reiterate the call
for the immediate release of all kidnapped Israeli
soldiers; the same applies to the Palestinian
parliamentarians who have been abducted by Israel.
Yesterday, Ghana voted in favour of the draft
resolution on the Middle East (S/2006/508) that the
Security Council failed to adopt, much to the regret of
those who see in the dangerous escalation of violence
in the Middle East a real threat of a regional war with
unpredictable consequences. Once unleashed, force is
difficult to control. Worse still, its casualties are
frequently innocent civilians and it involves a general
deterioration in the humanitarian situation. That was
true of Gaza, and we are hearing of similar
displacements in southern Lebanon. Furthermore,
mistrust grows, positions harden and the prospects for
a diplomatic solution recede, to the frustration of all.
The Security Council is fully aware of all of these
dangers and has repeatedly called for restraint on both
sides of the Middle East peace divide. Beyond that, the
Council has repeatedly reminded the parties of their
commitments under international law and international
humanitarian law.
Against that background, the widespread
bombardment of vital Lebanese infrastructure,
including the airport, highways and several other
targets, in order to enforce a total blockade on a
sovereign State is not acceptable. Diplomacy was
hardly given a chance in spite of the well-known
difficulties faced by the Lebanese Government in
disbanding the militia and extending control over all of
its territory in full compliance with Security Council
resolution 1559 (2004).
While some success has been achieved through
the strategy of containment, including the deployment
of peacekeeping missions, not much has been achieved
in addressing the underlying causes of the conflict in
the Middle East. Objectively, the Middle East crisis
revolves around the Palestinian question, which boils
down to the achievement of an independent and viable
State for the Palestinians within internationally
recognized boundaries.

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We therefore call for an immediate cessation of
hostilities between Israel and the various armed groups
and for a speedy resumption of the peace negotiations
without preconditions.
These are dangerous times, and the Security
Council must live up to its responsibility for
maintaining international peace and security by
refocusing its energies and attention on seeking a just
and lasting solution to the Middle East question.
Mr. Mayoral (Argentina) (spoke in Spanish):
Argentina is extremely concerned at the crisis between
Israel and Lebanon and at the serious events that have
taken place in the Gaza Strip in recent weeks. Those
two crises, as we see it, have the potential to
destabilize the entire Middle East region.
We therefore deem it essential for all parties
involved to take urgent measures to put an end to the
escalation of violence and to resolve their differences
through dialogue and negotiation.
Within that framework, we welcome the decision
taken by the Secretary-General to send a team of three
special envoys to the region to help find a solution to
the present conflict. We believe that all parties must
cooperate fully with Ambassadors Nambiar, RoedLarsen and De Soto.
Argentina condemns the Hizbollah attack that
took place on the morning of 12 July during which two
Israeli soldiers were kidnapped and others were
wounded or killed. We wish to reiterate here that the
abducted soldiers must be released immediately and
unconditionally.
My country also condemns once again the
launching of Katyusha rockets from Lebanese territory
into Israel. We would note here that as a result of one
of those attacks, on 13 July Mónica Lerer de Saidman,
an Argentine citizen, died in the city of Nahariya, in
northern Israel. My Government extends its deepest
condolences to her family and to the families of Israeli
and Lebanese victims, as well as victims of other
nationalities.
The Lebanese Government must assume its
responsibilities in the south of the country, taking the
necessary measures to put an end to violations along
the Blue Line, on the Lebanese side. We reiterate our
appeal that the resolutions of the Council be
implemented without any further delay, in particular

06-42993

resolution 425 (1978) and 1559 (2004), as well as other
subsequent resolutions.
Argentina does not deny the fact that Israel has
the right to defend itself against foreign attack.
However, we also believe that it must do so in
accordance with international law and in particular
with the provisions of international humanitarian law.
My country is extremely concerned at the Israeli
military actions that have taken place in recent days,
and in particular at the excessive use of force, the
imposition of collective punishment, the destruction of
civilian infrastructure — in particular the destruction
of airports, power stations, bridges and roads — as
well as attacks against populated areas that endanger
the lives of innocent civilians, and the imposition of a
sea, air and land blockade against Lebanon. Continued
violations on the part of Israel along the Blue Line are
also a source of concern for us. We believe that those
practices must cease immediately.
My country, Argentina, was deeply perturbed to
hear of the death of four Brazilian citizens, including
two children, in the city of Srifa. All four, who
belonged to the same family, were victims of Israeli
military action, which we condemn. We believe that
this represents further proof of the consequences of a
disproportionate response that has led to the loss of
innocent lives among the civilian population. We
extend our condolences to the family members of the
victims and to the Government of Brazil.
Given that the crisis has the potential to
destabilize the entire region, it is essential for the
parties to act with the utmost caution and avoid taking
any measures that might increase levels of tension and
violence. We call on the leaders in the Middle East and
those of the countries with influence on the parties to
do everything in their power to contain the conflict and
to contribute positively to the release of the detained
soldiers and to putting an end to military operations
and terrorist attacks.
This crisis makes it clear once again that it is
vital that we renew our quest for a lasting peace in the
Middle East before it is too late and before the door is
opened to a regional conflict of unforeseeable
consequences for all of humankind. Such an endeavour
should be based on Security Council resolutions, the
Madrid terms of reference and the principle of land for
peace.

9

 S/PV.5489

Mr. Bolton (United States of America): In recent
days and weeks, we have seen an outbreak of violence
in the Middle East, sparked by attacks and kidnappings
which Hamas and Hizbollah carried out against Israel.
Events continue to develop even as we speak.
Hizbollah’s incursions across the Blue line on 12 July
were a deliberate and premeditated provocation
intended to undermine regional stability and are
contrary to the interests of both the Lebanese and
Israeli peoples.
We unequivocally condemn the kidnapping by
Hizbollah, a terrorist organization, of two Israeli
soldiers and call for their immediate and unconditional
release. Provocations across the Blue Line by terrorist
groups highlight the urgent need for full and immediate
compliance by Syria and Hizbollah with relevant
Security Council resolutions, including 1559 (2004),
1583 (2005), 1655 (2006) and 1680 (2006).
The international community has made clear its
desire to see the central authority of the Government of
Lebanon extended throughout the country. In this
context, we underscore the importance of the Security
Council President’s statement of 18 June 2000 and the
Secretary-General’s conclusion that, as of 16 June
2000, Israel had withdrawn all its forces from
Lebanon, in accordance with Security Council
resolution 425 (1978), and met the requirements
defined in the Secretary-General’s 22 May 2000 report.

maintains an active presence in Syria. Iran’s extensive
sponsorship and financial and other support of
Hizbollah is well known and has been ongoing for
decades. No reckoning with Hizbollah will be adequate
without a reckoning with its principal State sponsors of
terror. We call on Syria and Iran to cease their
sponsorship and support of terrorist groups, in
particular Hizbollah and Hamas. For the third time in
two weeks we call again on Syria to arrest Hamas
leader Khaled Mashal, who currently lives in
Damascus. There is no excuse for a Member State of
the United Nations to continue to knowingly harbour a
recognized terrorist.
The Secretary-General’s decision to send a
senior-level team to the region is a development that is
welcomed by my Government. We also are engaged
with the primary parties and other concerned leaders to
help restore calm and achieve a resolution to the crisis.
In fact, senior United States officials have been in the
region and are in Jerusalem today for meetings.
All parties in the region must accept their
responsibilities for maintaining security and stability.
We urge all parties to accept the principle that
Governments must exercise sovereign control over
their territories. The United States remains firmly
committed to working with others not only to resolve
the present situation but toward building longer-term
peace and stability in the region.

As President Bush said yesterday, we are very
concerned about the fragile democracy in Lebanon.
While we have been working very hard with partners to
strengthen democracy in Lebanon, we are also making
clear that the democratic aspirations of the Lebanese
people must not be undermined by the irresponsible
and destabilizing actions of Hizbollah.

Mr. Al-Qahtani (Qatar) (spoke in Arabic): I
thank you, Mr. President, for convening this urgent
Council meeting to debate the continuing Israeli
military aggression against Lebanon and its people. I
also wish to thank Mr. Guéhenno and Mr. Gambari for
their briefings on the latest disturbing developments in
the region.

We have repeatedly made clear to Lebanon and
Syria our serious concern about the presence of
terrorist groups on their soil and the periodic attacks
against Israel from groups and individuals in southern
Lebanon. All militias in Lebanon, including Hizbollah,
must disarm and disband immediately, and the
Lebanese Government must extend and exercise its
sole and exclusive control over all Lebanese territory.

Over the past few days, and even as I speak, we
have been witnessing a barbaric military campaign by
Israel’s military forces against Lebanon and its people.
That has led to the death of dozens of civilians,
including women and children, and to serious damage
to the infrastructure of that country — without
justification.

President Bush has made clear that Syria and Iran
must be held to account for supporting regional
terrorism and their role in the current crisis. Syria
provides safe haven to the militant wing of Hamas and
provides material support to Hizbollah, which also

10

While we recognize the right of all States,
including Lebanon, to defend themselves, the waging
of a wide-spread military campaign directly targeting
civilians and hitting their infrastructure, such as in the
current campaign by the Israeli forces, can in no way
be consonant with that objective. To the contrary, it

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seems that the holding of the two Israeli soldiers is
being used as a pretext to bring destruction and
instability to the region.
The alleged right of Israel to self-defense ends
when the Security Council takes the necessary
measures to maintain international peace and security.
Will the Security Council be allowed to stop Israel’s
aggression against this wounded country? It is
premeditated aggression; it is flagrant violation of the
Charter of the United Nations and of all international
norms. We must put an end to it forthwith.
Lebanon today is a rare successful experiment in
democracy; it has borne fruit. If we wish to protect that
experiment, if we wish to allow Lebanon to fully
exercise its authority over all its territory, we must stop
any act that may destabilize the country and harm
democracy. The fact that the Israeli Government holds
the Lebanese Government responsible for the
abduction and holding of the two Israeli soldiers, even
though it had no knowledge of that action, is a grave
development and is in no way proper justification for
waging the military campaign against Lebanon.
We call on the two parties to show restraint and
not to escalate, and certainly not to target civilians. We
hope that these incidents will not cause further
deterioration of the situation. The region cannot take
any more tension beyond what it currently suffers. At
any rate, the Security Council must immediately take
appropriate measures to put an end to this barbaric
aggression in order to protect Lebanon and its people.
We cannot allow Lebanon to be brought to its knees.
Mr. Liu Zhengmin (China) (spoke in Chinese):
The Chinese delegation wishes to thank UnderSecretaries-General Guéhenno and Gambari for their
briefings, which were extremely helpful for us to gain
a timely understanding of the crisis between Lebanon
and Israel.
In its recent stage the situation between Lebanon
and Israel has been made drastically worse, which
causes us grave concern and worry. China is against
any actions that destabilize that region and calls on all
parties concerned to strictly respect the Blue Line and
relevant United Nations resolutions.
We denounce the armed aggression by Israel
against Lebanon. The Israeli military forces have used
disproportionate force and have caused massive
destruction of infrastructure in Lebanon. That has

06-42993

seriously affected the daily life of local residents and
has caused large numbers of civilian causalities. It
violates the sovereignty of Lebanon and has caused a
grave humanitarian crisis. We demand that Israel stop
its current military actions and lift the air, sea and land
blockade against Lebanon.
At the same time we are against the practice of
Hizbollah militias who cross the borders to attack
Israel and launch rockets on Israeli cities. We call on
Hizbollah to release the abducted Israeli soldiers at an
early date.
At present the situation in the Middle East is
extremely precarious and volatile. Imprudent actions
by any party may set off the powder keg and lead to
catastrophic consequences — which no one wishes to
see. History has told us that violence for violence, and
a tooth for a tooth, will lead us nowhere. We strongly
call on all parties concerned to exercise the utmost
restraint and maintain calm and to resolve the current
crisis through diplomatic means.
We have noted that Secretary-General Annan has
decided to send a special group on an urgent trip for
mediation and brokering in the Middle East. We
support his decision and hope that the special group
will live up to the great expectations placed on it and
bring us good news of peace.
Mr. Kitaoka (Japan): I too wish to join my
colleagues in thanking Under-Secretaries-General
Guéhenno and Gambari for their informative briefings
on the latest developments in the Middle East, focusing
on the situation in southern Lebanon.
The Middle East has seen continuing
deterioration over the past several months. The attacks
by Hizbollah across the Blue Line, the abduction of the
two Israeli soldiers and the ensuing developments have
further destabilized the already fragile situation in the
region, which is extremely worrying.
Japan strongly condemns the attacks by
Hizbollah, which are a blatant breach of relevant
Security Council resolutions, as well as the abduction
of the Israeli soldiers. We call for the immediate and
unconditional release of the soldiers.
Japan is deeply concerned that these
developments of the past few days will have a negative
impact on the efforts for peace in the region as a
whole. We therefore call upon all parties to exercise

11

 S/PV.5489

maximum self-restraint in order to avoid further
deterioration of the situation.
Japan acknowledges the legitimate security
concerns of Israel. Having said that, we strongly urge
Israel to refrain from excessive use of force and, in
particular, from actions that endanger the civilian
population and the infrastructure, as was the case with
the Israeli military operations of 13 July, which caused
many civilian casualties and the destruction of airport
facilities in Lebanon.
Japan concurs in the belief that political stability
in Lebanon is critical to peace and stability in the
Middle East. We therefore commend and support the
efforts of the Lebanese Government towards full
sovereignty and the expansion of political
independence. We recognize that the disarming and
disbanding of Hizbollah is a matter of crucial
importance that directly relates to the expansion of
control by the Government of Lebanon over all of its
territory.
The recent events underscore the importance of
achieving those goals. We hope that the Government of
Lebanon will commit itself to a continuous, sustained
effort to reach these goals, and we call on the
Government to make every effort to secure the release
of the Israeli soldiers.
It is our view that overcoming the present crisis
in the region requires the international community to
continue its cooperation in tandem. From that
perspective, Japan welcomes the decision of the
Secretary-General to dispatch a team led by his Special
Political Adviser, Mr. Vijay Nambiar, to the Middle
East to help defuse the current major crisis in the
region.
In conclusion, let me note that Prime Minister
Koizumi has been on a visit to Israel, Palestine and
Jordan from 11 July to today. The Prime Minister made
the following remarks in a joint media conference with
Israeli Prime Minister Olmert after their meeting.
“I realize that it is an extremely hard time
for the Israeli people, who are trying to cope with
the incident that occurred on [12 July], in
addition to the difficult situation regarding the
Gaza Strip, which has continued for quite some
time. It is of greater importance, however, to have
a rational reaction based on a far-sighted
recognition of the importance of achieving

12

coexistence and mutual prosperity in the medium
and long term, rather than taking an eye-for-aneye approach.”
Japan strongly hopes that the leaders in the region
will employ wisdom and judgement in addressing the
current critical situation.
Sir Emyr Jones Parry (United Kingdom): The
United Kingdom is gravely concerned by the escalation
of this crisis, which poses a serious threat for Israel and
Lebanon and for the wider security of the region. The
United Kingdom is committed to helping to resolve
this crisis. Foreign Secretary Beckett has spoken to her
Israeli colleague, and the Prime Minister has spoken to
the Lebanese Prime Minister, Mr. Siniora. We
appreciate the pressures that both Governments are
under at this particularly difficult time.
Our priority must be to calm the situation,
support the moderates on all sides and create
conditions for a peaceful, diplomatic resolution.
Focusing on finding fault will not help us in that
endeavour. We urge all parties to do all that they can to
address this crisis and to prevent the situation from
worsening.
Prime Minister Blair has also spoken to the
Secretary-General, and we fully support his decision to
send a mission to the region to try to calm the situation
and assist efforts for a diplomatic solution. We also
fully support the mission of the European Union High
Representative, who will be travelling to the region
early next week. We hope that the two missions can
coordinate closely on the ground and contribute to a
solution.
We reiterate our call for the urgent release of the
kidnapped Israeli soldiers and for an end to attacks on
Israeli towns and cities. We urge all those countries
with influence over Hizbollah, in particular Syria and
Iran, to play their part.
Israel has every right to act in self-defence. But it
must exercise restraint and ensure that its actions are
proportionate and measured, conform to international
law and avoid civilian death and suffering.
Disproportionate action will only escalate an already
dangerous situation.
This crisis underscores the need for the full and
sustainable implementation of resolution 1559 (2004),
including the importance of the Government of

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Lebanon exercising and being able to exercise its full
authority throughout Lebanese territory.
Mr. Ikouebe (Congo) (spoke in French): As it
participates in today’s debate, my delegation hopes
very much that the Council will take full account of
what is at stake here and will send the right message to
the protagonists in this crisis in order to restore peace,
while stressing negotiation and dialogue. For, clearly,
today we have a very dangerous escalation.
In considering this item, my delegation still
recalls those moving words of the father of the Israeli
soldier who was kidnapped in Palestine a few weeks
ago — a father who hoped this tragedy was not going
to lead to more misfortune for innocent people in
Palestine and in Israel. He did not know how right he
was, nor, undoubtedly, did he imagine that the tragedy
would spill over the borders. That is why we condemn
all acts of violence, whoever the authors and whatever
the motivation. Above all, we deplore the factors that
triggered the immediate crisis — namely, the rocket
attacks on Israel by members of Hizbollah and the
abduction and detention of Israeli soldiers. All of those
acts are clearly provocative and only serve, ultimately,
to exacerbate tension, thereby making Lebanon even
more fragile and endangering the lives of the civilian
population.
But
we
condemn
equally
firmly
the
disproportionate reprisals by the Israeli army, which
did not hesitate to bomb Beirut intensively, to launch
incursions into southern Lebanon and to impose a land,
sea and air blockade of Lebanon. Those, too, are acts
of war that endanger the civilian population and that
destroy socio-economic infrastructure and seriously
weaken the Lebanese authorities, who are embarked
upon a national dialogue that we have encouraged.
Nevertheless, this is not the time for
condemnation. We need to act quickly to ease tensions
in order to return to a political and diplomatic solution.
This is why my delegation welcomes the initiative
taken by the Secretary-General to send a high-level
delegation to the region; we also encourage all national
and regional initiatives. We also request that, in
accordance with the wishes of the Lebanese
Government, an immediate ceasefire be declared,
followed by serious negotiations on all pending issues:
release of prisoners and detainees, implementation of
the relevant Security Council resolutions relating to
this situation and, in particular, the disarmament and

06-42993

disbanding of militias, normalization of relations
between Lebanon and its neighbours and respect for
the Blue Line.
My delegation reaffirms that only dialogue and
negotiation can make it possible for the States of the
region, with the resolute support of the international
community, to achieve a just and lasting peace on the
basis of the relevant United Nations resolutions and the
principles of international law.
Of course, the response will be that there is
nothing new here. But the alternative is not having
very positive results. We do not believe that there can
be any resolution through the firing of rockets against
civilian populations, the abduction of soldiers or the
bombing of airports. Such actions will never lead to the
release of prisoners or to the dismantling of militias,
still less to the establishment of a just and lasting
peace.
Mr. Mahiga (United Republic of Tanzania): We
thank Mr. Guéhenno and Mr. Gambari for their update
briefings on the crisis between Israel and Lebanon. We,
like other delegations, are alarmed by the sudden and
escalating fighting across the Blue Line involving
Hizbollah and the Israel Defense Forces, which is
spreading to other parts of Lebanon.
We condemn the attacks sparked by Hizbollah
across the Blue Line and the kidnapping of Israeli
soldiers on 12 July. That was a blatant breach of
Security Council resolutions and a violation of the line
separating the two countries. We deplore the deaths of
and injuries to civilians, which are continuing, and call
for a halt to the extensive destruction of property and
infrastructure in Lebanon.
We are gravely concerned by the intensity of the
fighting and the disproportionate use of force. Israeli
forces have targeted bridges, fired at Beirut’s airport,
setting fuel tanks on fire, and struck the main BeirutDamascus road. Israel is continuing to strike Lebanon
by land, sea and air, and has imposed an air and naval
blockade aimed, with devastating consequences, at
civilian life which is having a destabilizing impact on
the entire region.
On the other hand, Hizbollah has fired volleys of
rockets targeting population centres in northern Israel,
including Nahariya and the port city of Haifa, which
represents a major and unprecedented escalation of the
crisis across the Blue Line.

13

 S/PV.5489

The situation is definitely spiralling out of control
and we risk losing sight of the issues at stake as a
result of the kidnapping of the two soldiers in an
already volatile situation. The chances for their release
are much greater through negotiations than through the
use of excessive force.
We urge the parties to exercise maximum
restraint and to stop the hostilities so as to allow
mediation efforts to resolve the crisis. This is urgent;
there is a similar situation in the Gaza Strip that
remains unresolved, despite the extensive use of force
there.
The current security situation demonstrates once
again the urgency of the call for the Lebanese
Government to extend its control over all of its
territory and prevent attacks across the Blue Line. Over
the past 12 months, Lebanon has gone through one
political crisis after another. This latest development
renders the situation more volatile. There is a need for
decisive international action to help Lebanon stabilize
itself.
The parties should be encouraged to abstain from
acts that constitute a violation of international law,
international humanitarian law or relevant Security
Council resolutions. The sovereignty and territorial
integrity of Lebanon must be respected in the context
of a comprehensive solution to the Middle East
problem.
We are concerned that the cycle of violence in the
region does not seem to be abating and is causing
misery to ordinary civilians. We appeal to leaders in
the region and to the wider international community to
take immediate, concerted action to resolve the
conflict. In this regard, we commend the speedy action
of the Secretary-General in sending envoys to the
troubled region to defuse the situation and chart a
solution to the ongoing crisis. We are also encouraged
by the prompt diplomatic efforts being taken by Arab
countries such as Egypt to find a negotiated solution to
the conflict.
Finally, we would like to stress that the cessation
of hostilities as a prerequisite for political negotiations
is the key to bringing about a durable solution to the
crisis.
Mr. Pereyra Plasencia (Peru) (spoke in
Spanish): Peru strongly deplores the escalation of
violence and the loss of innocent human life in the

14

Middle East. It is essential that the parties involved
immediately cease all belligerent actions so that a
climate of peace can be restored in the region and
dialogue and negotiation can be pursued. That will
require a ceasefire and the release of the abducted
Israeli soldiers, as well as of the elected Palestinian
Authority officials who were recently illegally
detained.
This escalation of the crisis and its expansion into
Lebanon was provoked by Hizbollah, considered a
terrorist organization, which crossed the Blue Line to
attack a military post, killing eight Israeli soldiers and
taking two hostage, and launching rockets that claimed
civilian lives. Such aggressive action by any State is
unacceptable, and in this case it provoked a military
response by Israel in the State of Lebanon. That action
further worsened the cycle of violence in the Middle
East, which had already intensified following a similar
action by the Hamas-led Government of the Palestinian
Authority in which it attacked, through a tunnel, an
Israeli military post, killing two members of the Israel
Defense Forces and abducting another. In both cases
those kidnappings and attacks — whose similarity is
not coincidental — prompted a military response on
the part of the Israel Defense Forces.
Peru recognizes Israel’s right to self-defence and
security. However it must exercise that right in
accordance with the principles and norms of the
Charter. Furthermore, we call for the application of
international humanitarian law, particularly in this
context of generalized violence, so as to prevent
further civilian loss of life and damage to the
infrastructure of Lebanon and Gaza. Israel must refrain
from the excessive use of force. All parties to the
conflict have a duty to respect the lives and human
rights of Lebanese and Palestinian, as well as Israeli,
civilians.
Peru profoundly regrets the harm caused to
Palestinian, Lebanese and Israeli civilians. Given the
escalating violence in Lebanon, it is essential that the
Lebanese Government implement the decision taken a
few months ago to disarm those groups operating in the
refugee camps and elsewhere. There is an imperative
need to restore the monopoly on the use of force in
Lebanon. As Hizbollah has shown, not only does the
capacity of such groups constitute an ongoing
challenge to the authority of the Lebanese State, but,
worse still, their actions could embroil Lebanon in an
international conflict, which no one wants to see.

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Furthermore, we should recall that any solution to
the crisis in the region must take into account the
requirements set out by the Quartet for the Hamas-led
Palestinian Authority. In this context, it must recognize
Israel, renounce violence and respect the agreements
previously entered into by the Palestinian Authority.
A few weeks ago, in this very Chamber, we
urgently called for decisive action on the part of the
Quartet, at the highest level, leading to a permanent
ceasefire, the Palestinian Authority’s handover of the
kidnapped member of the Israel Defense Forces and
the release of imprisoned elected Palestinian Authority
officials. That call should today be extended to
Lebanon, with a view to bringing about a ceasefire and
the release of the two soldiers taken hostage by
Hizbollah.
Peru expresses its full support for the special
mission sent to the region by the Secretary-General
under the leadership of his Special Adviser,
Ambassador Vijay Nambiar, and including Mr. Terje
Roed-Larsen and Ambassador Alvaro de Soto. We
therefore call upon all States concerned, other members
of the Quartet and the protagonists involved to extend
to them their full cooperation and assistance, so that
the mission can fully meet its objectives.
Ms. Løj (Denmark): During the last few weeks,
we have seen the situation in the Middle East
deteriorate steadily. An already very difficult situation
has become even more volatile, with dire consequences
not only for the civilian population but also for the
prospects for lasting peace. In the midst of all this grim
news, the relationship between Lebanon and Israel has
worsened. It now poses a grave threat to the wider
security of the region.
My Government has condemned Hizbollah’s
provocations in the strongest possible terms. Those
who provide the means to carry out its deadly attacks
are equally responsible for their consequences.
Moreover, given the prevailing tensions, Hizbollah’s
attacks inside Israel are simply irresponsible and
unacceptable.
The abducted Israeli soldiers must be released
immediately and unconditionally.
Denmark is unwavering in its recognition of the
right of States to self-defence — in this case Israel’s.
However, care must be taken to ensure that the exercise
of that right is proportional and measured. All actions

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must conform to international law and must be carried
out with due respect for the obligations of States to
protect civilians and civilian infrastructure in times of
war.
Denmark is gravely concerned about the widescale damage caused by Israel’s actions to civilian life
and infrastructure. Of special concern is the attack on
the civilian airport in Beirut and the air and sea
blockade against Lebanon. My Government strongly
urges Israel to show utmost restraint.
The Security Council has repeatedly called on the
Government of Lebanon to restore its sovereignty over
all its national territory and to exercise the sole right to
the use of force on that territory. My Government
welcomes the fact that the Lebanese Government has
distanced itself from Hizbollah’s actions. We join in
urging all countries in the region to act responsibly and
to do everything possible to calm the situation.
The humanitarian consequences of recent
developments are cause for grave concern. The
situation is alarming and requires urgent attention, first
and foremost from the parties but also from the
international community.
In conclusion, the level of tension in the region
makes it imperative that all parties refrain from any
action that would inflame the already tense situation.
In this situation, the Secretary-General’s decision to
dispatch to the Middle East a senior diplomatic mission
is extremely timely and welcome. The parties must
extend their full cooperation to this team, as well as to
delegations from other key players, allowing them to
fulfil their missions to contain the conflict. Any effort
to ease the tension in this dire situation, including the
efforts of the Secretary-General, are very welcome.
Mr. Mlynár (Slovakia): At the outset, let me
thank Under-Secretaries-General Guéhenno and
Gambari for their very valuable briefings this morning.
Slovakia is deeply concerned about the recent
events in southern Lebanon and northern Israel. At the
same time, we are very concerned about the bombings
of the cities and suburbs of Beirut and Haifa, as well as
many other towns in the region.
We would like to emphasize that loss of civilian
life and attacks on civilian infrastructure are very
alarming.

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According to the latest information, the Israel
Defense Forces are imposing a blockade against
Lebanon, violating its airspace and destroying its
infrastructure, including bridges, airports and power
stations. From the Hizbollah side, the rocket shelling of
the towns of Qiryat, Shemona, Nahariyya and Safed in
northern Israel is continuing as well.
The escalation of the situation is accelerating on a
dangerous course, with both parties suspicious of one
another and refusing to halt military action.
We are convinced that the international
community and the Security Council must react swiftly
and appeal to all parties to immediately cease all
actions that could provoke a further escalation of the
situation and lead to further deterioration of the already
extremely serious humanitarian situation. All parties
must agree to a ceasefire, end the blockade and return
to negotiate peaceful solutions to all the causes of the
escalation of the situation in southern Lebanon and
northern Israel.
We recognize and acknowledge the right of each
and every State to self-defence. But that right cannot,
and should not, be confused with counterattacks or acts
of military provocation. Both parties must refrain from
the disproportionate use of force. We call upon them to
exercise the utmost restraint.
We strongly condemn all terrorist attacks, in
particular those directed against civilians. We express
our deepest sympathies to the families of all the
victims, as well as to the Governments of Lebanon and
of Israel.
We would like to repeat what we said in the
Council yesterday, and have stated many times before,
namely that reaching a just and lasting peace in the
Middle East region will be possible only when all
parties cease their fire and refrain from any military or
violent action. The only way to achieve a
comprehensive and lasting settlement to the conflict is
through peaceful negotiations. Previous commitments,
agreements and the Council’s resolutions, in particular
resolution 1559 (2004), must be respected and fully
implemented. We would like to reiterate that all parties
must resume constructive dialogue and take concrete
actions aimed at building and strengthening mutual
confidence and trust.

16

The two Israeli soldiers should be released
immediately and unconditionally, rocket shelling
should be stopped and the Blue Line respected.
The international community, including the
Council, must remain actively engaged in the peace
process in the Middle East. However, both sides must
do more and demonstrate clear political will and a
commitment to ending this protracted conflict which
threatens international peace and security. Despite the
latest wave of violence and hostilities, we believe there
is still a window of opportunity for all parties to put the
peace process on the right track. That opportunity must
be seized through concrete and immediate action
leading from mutual recognition of the right to exist to
mutual peaceful coexistence.
In this context, Slovakia welcomes and fully
supports the role of the Secretary-General and his
senior-level team led by Mr. Nambiar, which has just
been dispatched to the region. We sincerely hope that
the team will achieve the results that we are all wishing
for. My Government has issued a statement today and,
for its part, is ready to contribute, if necessary, to the
humanitarian relief efforts in Lebanon.
Mrs. Papadopoulou (Greece): I would like to
join others in thanking Under-Secretary-General
Gambari and Under-Secretary-General Guéhenno for
their briefings today.
In the last few days, we have been witnessing
events in the Middle East spiralling out of control and
reaching new, unacceptable levels of violence and
tension unseen in the last few years. The situation
seems to be worsening by the hour.
It was only two weeks ago that, during our last
discussion on the developments in the region (see
S/PV.5481), we expressed our great concern over the
violence in the Palestinian territories and condemned in
the strongest possible terms the killing of an Israeli
civilian hostage and the continuing holding of an
Israeli soldier, as well as the killings of innocent
civilians, including women and children, by the Israeli
armed forces.
Today we can only stress once more our deep
concern at the latest events unfolding as we speak, this
time around the border between Israel and Lebanon, an
area which has been enjoying relative calm over the
last six years.

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We deplore the recent attack by Hizbollah which
resulted in the killing of a number of Israeli soldiers
and the abduction of another two, as well as its
continuing firing of Katyusha rockets into Israeli
territory, which has led to the killing of at least two
civilians and the wounding of many more. We call
upon Hizbollah to release the two abducted soldiers
immediately and without preconditions and to refrain
from such actions in the future.
We equally deplore and express our deep alarm at
the Israeli counterattacks, which have resulted in the
killing of more than 50 Lebanese civilians, including
10 children, and the wounding of 100 more, as well as
in the destruction of civilian infrastructure in the
country. We continue to believe that, while preserving
the right of self-defence, Israel must respect its
obligations under international law, including
international humanitarian law, as well as the
sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon.
Actions which are contrary to international law can
only aggravate the vicious circle of violence and
retribution and cannot serve anyone’s legitimate
security concerns.
In that respect, we call upon Israel to
immediately halt the disproportionate use of force, put
an end to its attacks against civilian population areas
and public infrastructure, such as the international
airport of Beirut, refrain from violating Lebanese air
space and lift the naval and air blockade of Lebanon.
It is imperative for the Lebanese Government to
take effective and immediate strong action to prevent
further attacks against Israel by Hizbollah. At the same
time, it is of crucial importance not to jeopardize the
stability of Lebanon, while preserving and respecting
its sovereignty and territorial integrity by, inter alia,
full implementation of Security Council resolutions,
including resolution 1559 (2004).
We express our support with regard to the appeal
of the Lebanese Government for a comprehensive
ceasefire and call upon all parties concerned to
exercise restraint and demonstrate a spirit of
composure, which is absolutely necessary in this very
critical moment.
In that context, Greece would like to express its
strong support for the upcoming mission of the
Secretary-General’s envoys in the region and its hope
that it can obtain concrete results in the immediate

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future in terms of re-stabilizing the situation in the
area.
The President (spoke in French): I shall now
make a statement in my capacity as the representative
of France.
I thank Mr. Guéhenno and Mr. Gambari for their
statements.
France is extremely concerned by the escalation
of violence between Israel and Lebanon. Hizbollah
bears responsibility for the outbreak of hostilities.
Once again, we condemn Thursday’s attacks on Israeli
territory which killed or wounded several Israeli
soldiers. We condemn the abduction of two of them
and we demand once again their immediate and
unconditional release. We condemn ongoing rocket fire
on Israeli territory which is striking and killing
indiscriminately.
The Lebanese Government has dissociated itself
from this irresponsible and deliberate provocation, but
it must shoulder its responsibilities and abide by the
commitments it has taken before this Council by
working effectively to restore its authority throughout
its territory and by mobilizing more actively all
Lebanese political actors in support of disarming
Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias in accordance
with the Taif Agreement and Security Council
resolutions.
Israel has the right to defend its territory and its
citizens when they are attacked — and they have been
attacked. But we condemn the disproportionate nature
of the response, which has already claimed many
civilian victims and has caused significant material
damage. In its breadth and its nature, the Israeli
response threatens to erase efforts undertaken by the
Lebanese Government to restore the country’s
economy and to restore State authority throughout the
territory. It jeopardizes efforts undertaken over the past
year to consolidate Lebanese democracy and to ensure
the reconciliation of its people.
Moreover, France condemns the destruction of
civilian and military infrastructure as a result of
operations carried out by Israel as well as the air and
sea blockade imposed on Lebanon. The Lebanese
people must not be taken hostage. Freedom of
movement for the population as well as for foreigners
in Lebanon must be restored without delay. France
cannot accept that its citizens should be prevented from

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returning to their country. With its European partners,
it will work to ensure that a very rapid solution to this
situation is found.
We call upon all parties in Lebanon and in Israel
to refrain from any new action which would further
feed the cycle of violence and endanger the civilian
population. There can be no military solution to this
crisis, just as there can be no military solution to any of
the conflicts that have affected the Middle East for
decades.
France has constantly said that these conflicts
fuel one another and are interwoven. The history of
this region for nearly 60 years has tragically shown
that violence and the struggle for power have resolved
nothing. On the contrary, they feed other conflicts and
cause further violence and tragedy, with the civilian
population being the primary victims.
Given this very risky and intense crisis,
international diplomacy is now working in an attempt
to define the terms for a peaceful solution, in particular

18

within the United Nations framework, through the
mission sent to the region by the Secretary-General,
and within the framework of the European Union. Of
course, France wholeheartedly supports these efforts,
which can consider how to avoid direct confrontation.
France, as solemnly stated by President Chirac today,
calls upon the parties to immediately cease hostilities,
which is the only way to give a chance to mediation
efforts. It calls upon everyone to scrupulously respect
the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all parties
and to cooperate fully with efforts under way taken by
the international community.
I now resume my functions as President of the
Council.
There are no further speakers on my list. The
Security Council has thus concluded the present stage
of its consideration of the item on its agenda. I invite
the Members of the Council to consultations following
the adjournment of this meeting.
The meeting rose at noon.

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